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Packers Daily Links: Jeff Saturday Joins ESPN as Analyst

Former Packers centerJeff Saturday is joining ESPN as an analyst, reports Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star. “Offensive linemen make some of the best analysts because they understand the nuances of the game and they typically have fun personalities — Jeff definitely fits this mold,” ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman is quoted as saying. “It’s also no accident he played center for two NFL MVPs in Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers.” Saturday was always well spoken in his interviews as a player, so it would be no surprise if he becomes an effective football analyst for the "worldwide leader."

The recent three-year contract extension signed by Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was very likely influenced by the recent deal signed by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "In the midst of April’s NFL draft, the 29-year-old Rodgers and Packers agreed on a five-year, $110 million deal with $54 million in guarantees and a $35 million signing bonus," writes Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "According to USA Today, the $62.5 million due over the first three years of Rodgers’ deal leads the NFL and likely set the bar for Stafford’s contract and those that follow." Stafford reportedly received a three-year $53 million extension that included $41.5 million in guarantees.

Packers scoutJohn Wojciechowski is being inducted into his high school hall of fame. "Wojciechowski, a 1992 Plum graduate, was named first-team, all-conference in football and baseball," writes George Guido of Pittsburgh's TribLive.com. "He was a three-year captain and a football All-American at Duquesne University where he held the school record for career sacks as a defensive end." Congrats to the respected Packers scout who was recently named as one of the best in the NFL in a column at the National Football Post.

Video: The contracts of Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers are compared by Ed Werder of ESPN...

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

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